A defining moment.

1. April 2020

The view hasn’t changed in 12 days. I have settled into a nice little routine during my mandatory 14-day self-quarantine here in Australia. It involves no bras and plenty of rosé. There is no doubt I’m going more crazy by the minute.

But I am not complaining.

No, on the contrary: I am so grateful to have a place where Frank and I can wait out until the storm is over. Maybe it is important to note that we had big plans to stay on in Botswana, Africa, as a couple, together. We were not prepared to leave. No, not at all. We were busy getting our permanent residency sorted out that side. But when Corona happened, and all the travel bans across the world came into place – we had to abandon all our plans for a shared future. Suddenly the only place left for us to go together was Australia. And now here we are, self-isolating. Together <3

Chances are, if you are reading this post, just like me you are able to self-isolate. And that is a fucking privilege.

Today I watched a news report from the city of Lagos, Nigeria, where people can only dream to isolate themselves. And this goes for most of Africa. The journalist finished the report with a quote that stuck with me:

This virus is for the priviledged.

Now, I don’t want to guilt-trip anybody with this post. Maybe I just want to remind myself of the incredible importance of gratitude.

And I want to remind myself that now – and always – is a time to GIVE.

I fear for Africa these days. The fact that there are still so little reported cases of COVID-19 in African countries feels like a ticking timebomb nobody has been able to detect thus far. I fear we haven’t seen the worst of this virus yet. Not even close.

This moment in time is a defining one. It defines us as humans, as a community, as a planet. Yes, it is that fucking serious. Future generations will judge us by the actions we take today. I don’t want to look back at this time, knowing I didn’t do my part to help ease the fear and the suffering of those in need.

This is a defining moment.

And we are the ones who define it. We have to choose now between the two most basic emotions:

LOVE or FEAR.

Will we share what we have? Or will we hoard? Will we make space for others? Or will we push in front? Will we keep fearing the apocalypse? Or will we start imagining the revolution?

What values we going to keep when this is over? And what are we letting go of?

The choice is ours.

The choice is yours.

The choice is mine.

As a starting point, I have listed the following organisations in desperate need for donations. None of them are Corona-specific, as I believe it is better choosing to support an organisation you believe in long term, instead of just reacting to a current crisis. In making a permanent commitment to any of these NGO’s, you help in any current crisis just as much:

And please don’t forget the wildlife. Especially in Africa, the lack of tourism means a significant lack of “eyes on the ground” – making it easier for poachers to enter the national parks to do their dirty work. Here are some NGO’s which protect African wildlife: